SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Sophomore
Maren Friday scored with just 40.7 seconds to go in the third period to help the Union College women's hockey team push their unbeaten streak to four games with a 2-1 win over Rochester Institute of Technology on Saturday afternoon from Messa Rink. The Dutchwomen participated in their Pink at the Rink game on Saturday, with funds from the game being given to the American Cancer Society.
Union's four-game stretch is the program's longest unbeaten streak since 2004 when the team also went four games without being beaten (3-0-1). In addition, the current three-game winning streak ties the longest in the Division I era as well.
After RIT tied the score with less than three minutes on the clock, Friday provided the late-game heroics with her second goal of the season. Junior
Celeste Beaudoin dumped the puck down the wall and sophomore
Ashley Adams was below the goal line to retrieve it. She carried the puck around the goal and sent a pass to Friday at the side of the circle who sent a one-timer into the far corner with just 40.7 seconds remaining in the period.
Adams led all players with two points on the day with a goal and the primary assist on Friday's game-winning tally.
Following a scoreless first period that saw Union out-shoot RIT 7-5, the Dutchwomen gained their first lead of the game at the 8:33 mark of the second period. Adams forced a turnover and worked her way off the half wall and beat goalie Sarah Coe over her glove for a 1-0 lead. Union out shot RIT 13-5 in the period.
Each team traded chances in the third period, with Union holding 16-14 shot total in the period. The Tigers evened the score as a Union penalty expired with just 2:46 remaining in the game. The game looked like it was headed for the extra frame until Friday became Union's latest late-game hero.
Sophomore
Sophie Matsoukas made 23 saves to earn her sixth win of the season, moving her into a tie for third place on the school single-season wins list. Coe made 32 saves to keep the Tigers in the game.
The Dutchwomen (6-5-1, 1-2-1) will play ECAC Hockey rival Rensselaer on Tuesday, November 15. Puck drop from Messa Rink is set for 6 p.m.
